The Elfmaid's Curse (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 1) (28 page)

            Faiser pulled off his shirt, and then sat on his bedroll to pull off his boots and trousers. Danica watched, both drawn to him and repulsed.

           
I hate him for how he makes me feel!

            She kicked angrily at the dead dragon then lifted her head proudly. She would bed down with the sleazy dog if she must, in front of the Gods and everyone, but she would find a way to make him sorry he used her so shamelessly.

            "Danica," Treena called. "I'll give you twenty crowns copper for the dragon."

            She paused to consider. It was she who killed the beast, so she owned it. The skin of the sand dragon was highly prized in the desert cultures. Especially among the nomads. It was almost imperious to water, making the perfect water bladder for the hot desert. Treena could likely get a full crown silver for it in Tamera. And an equal amount for its scales, teeth, and claws. Danica could use that kind of coin herself, but it would be an arduous task to properly skin the dragon so its skin wasn't punctured anywhere except the feet and neck. The more holes the less it would bring.

            "Great Gods!" Danica cried, facing lighting up. "The dragon belongs to me, so I now have a water skin. The Gods have surely blessed me."

            "That doesn't change our agreement," Faiser said.

            She met his gaze for a long moment. "I know."

            Faiser laid down, not looking too happy, as several Amazons came over to congratulate her on her good fortune. After they left to bed down, Danica dragged her prize over close to the small fire of dried horse and camel droppings. In the ruddy light she first pulled all the dragon's teeth, then cut off its head and all four feet. Setting those aside, she began the difficult task of pulling off all his hard, smooth scales one by one. The desert folk believed ground dragon scales both increased sexual stamina and made men more fertile. With the scales off, she began the task of skinning the dragon.

            Starting at the severed head, she slowly peeled back the skin as she cut the underlying meat away. Working by herself and not having a tree to hang the carcass from made her job much more difficult. The oasis didn't even have the customary date palms. It was little more than a dozen tepid pools of water scattered among a jumble of boulders.

            Taking her shovel, she dug a shallow pit to bury the dragon's remains. Desert etiquette commanded that all oases be kept clean and in the same condition found. Besides, dragon meat was taboo. Indeed, no one ate the flesh of any predator.

            After turning the skin inside out, she carefully scraped away any remaining tissue. She couldn't use the skin right away as a water bladder, but she could start the curing process. By the time they reached Tamera the skin would be ready. And if not, she could trade it with a few coins for a good water skin.

            Finally scraped clean to her satisfaction, she drew water from the small pool at the base of the rocky overhang and started rinsing off the skin. With brush, water, and sand she scrubbed the skin inside and out. Finally, she salted and rolled it up. Only then did she take a quick bath and head for Faiser's bedroll.

            He was waiting. Faiser waited for her to strip, and then lifted the blanket as she slipped in beside him. Danica's lover didn't give her time to even breathe before he claimed her lips. His hands were all over her, and soon her mind was as open as her body to his every desire.

Chapter 14

            The troupe of mercenaries gave a heartfelt cheer as they crested the last ridge of the low sandstone mountains and beheld Tamera on the eastern horizon. It was little more than a hazy white mountain in the center of a stark valley, but it was still the most beautiful sight any of them could hope to see at the moment. It was a gleaming promise of rest and cool drink, of succor from the relentless sun and heat of the desert.

            Picking up the pace, they hurried down the gentle slope toward the ancient city. As they grew nearer more detail could be discerned. Tamera sat upon a lone hill in the flat flood plain of an ancient dead river. A hill made up of past cities, each built upon the rubble of the previous until now the city sat some twenty feet higher than the surround territory. The defensive walls were a good thirty feet high atop the hill, whitewashed with three black tile stripes running parallel to and below the crenellations. Great round towers were evenly spaced along their length.

            Aside from the soaring city of minarets and domed palaces behind the impressive white walls, what drew most of their attentions were the three aqueducts radiating out and northward from the city. The ruins of four others could also be seen. But the three remaining aqueducts were things of legend, many considering them one of the Wonders of the World. None had been built since before the War of the Gods, the necessary skills and engineers lost along with the ancient Tyrasillian Empire that spawned them. The best the Tamerans could do now was maintain what was left.

            Each aqueduct was, in fact, an enclosed canal, a great elevated stone pipe, carrying a small river of water to supply the city and her surrounding farms. Danica had seen aqueducts in the Jarlands, all in ruins, but they had been different in that they carried the water open to the sky. However, in the desert heat most of the precious water would be lost to evaporation that way. As it was, the three aqueducts barely provided enough water for the city during the late summer months, forcing them to tap into their cisterns of hoarded water blasted deep underground by magic long ago. Unlike most desert cities, Tamera wasn't built atop an oasis, supplying it with a steady water supply through underground aquifers.

            Danica rode near the front of the line of riders, behind Lana and Treena. As usual, Faiser stuck close behind her. His dark eyes never seemed to stray from her for long.

            After twenty-one days with the man, Danica was eager to be rid of him. He made her feel things she didn't want to feel. Do things she didn't want to do with a man, and enjoy it all way too much. Unfortunately, Faiser now had delusions they should stay together. He wanted her to join the mercenary company with him, and go to fight Brajar's wars.

            Faiser spurred up to ride beside Danica, then regarded her a moment before saying, "In Tamera, I will go straight to the Warrior's Hall and sign up with the company. I really want you to come with me, Danica. We're so good together."

            She gave him a sharp look.

            "Well, we're good together as long as you're boning me," she said. "We don't really have anything else in common. Besides, you're only interested in me because I'm noble born."

            "That was true at first, but I've learned to appreciate you, to actually — ."

            She knew what he was going to say, and had to stop it. Just knowing what he felt, what he wanted, sent chills up her spine. It made her resolve waver.

            "Don't say it!" she said, glowering at him. Anger helped her banish the other, deeper, scarier feelings she harbored for him. It shored up her resolve, focused her mind on the ultimate goal. "You know I can't make any commitments, and I will not have you pressure me with vows of love and adoration." She glanced at Tamera, and then at the heavens. "I am on a quest for vengeance."

            "I will help you," he said.

            It was tempting. So damned tempting. She did not want to do this alone. Danica didn't want to be alone, but if she stayed with him any longer, she felt she'd lose the "Danic" in her, and truly become "Danica."

            "No. Believe me, you really don't want to," she said. "There are things you don't know about me. Things I don't want you to ever know." Her skin goose-fleshed, and she trembled a second. Her voice sounded strained when she continued, "Besides, my quest is a dark one, and will end in death. Probably mine."

            It was the same conversation they'd had at least once a day for the past five days, ever since Faiser broached the idea of making their relationship permanent. To her dismay, she had considered it for a brief time. She questioned her goal, if it was attainable or even worth the pain and effort.

            "I don't care," Faiser said.

            "I do," she said. "Our relationship ends here, Faiser. I didn't think I would, but I enjoyed our time together." She frowned at him, hating how guilty he was making her feel. "You taught me a lot about…sex. About myself. Mostly about sex."

            He grinned. "It was the best I ever had. You enjoy sex more than any woman I ever met." He leaned over and kissed her. "You are the only woman to ever make me care. I'll miss you."

            Danica felt her face heat up, eyes burning. She blinked, and dug in her spurs.

            Thankfully, he let her go. She moved quickly up to the head of their little column, struggling to get her emotions under control. It'd been so much easier as a man to remain stoic.

            "So, Lana, Treena, what are your plans upon reaching Tamera," Danica asked as casually as she could, despite a tight throat.

            Lana answered with a chuckle, "Leave this godless desert far behind. This sun is drying up my skin and making me an old woman before my time."

            "You said a mouthful," Treena said with feeling. "But to me, the worst part is always being thirsty. One little mistake, or accident, and I lose my water and die horribly. I'm going to sell everything, including my horse, and buy a warhawk with my war booty. I'll be back in the Empire before you can pass out drunk."

            "I envy you," Danica said softly. "I don't have any war booty to buy a warhawk. And I have to go to Ismat al-Haratha, another one thousand miles across a desert even harsher than what we've already crossed."

            "You should reconsider my offer," Lana said. "This is not the time of year to cross over to Ismat al-Haratha, especially if not in the company of a caravan or mercenary troop."

            Lana's offer was to join her, Faiser, Gregar, and six others in joining up with the Silver Dragon Troop. The Silver Dragons were a mercenary troop of heavily armed and armored dragoons, composed mostly of desert natives, and having a sterling reputation as stark warriors and faithful servants to whomever could meet their price. Apparently, the Jarland kingdom of Brajar has met that steep price. Many of the other Jarland and Amazon warriors were seriously considering joining Lana's growing squad. Lana knew a lieutenant in the troop, one Akmed, who could secure her a place and possibly anyone she brought along.

            "Haven't you been listening to me and Faiser for the last few days?" Danica said. "You know I can't do that. I mean, I'd love to return to the Jarlands, but it's not time. I have things do to. People to kill."

            "Yeah," Lana said. "But our way you get paid to kill people. You just don't get to choose the people you kill."

            They all grinned. Warrior humor could be quite grim at times, even vicious.

            "I'll keep your offer in mind," she said, hating herself for it. She glanced at Faiser, knowing that path would put her back in his bedroll. "How long after we arrive do I have to make up my mind?"

            There was no way, but she liked to keep her options open just in case. Of course, if she joined the Silver Dragons, it might be the end of her quest forever. Not something she was prepared to do, just yet. Damn that man for making her consider it, though.

            "Couple days, I suppose."

            She had three days at most to decide.

            It was late afternoon by the time they reached the towering Thunder Gate in the city's western walls. Its great arabesque portal was protected by a full company of Tameran soldiers in their distinctive peaked helmets wrapped in blue turbans, burnished bronze scale armor, and bared scimitars. The men were one and all dark, thin, and with hawkish faces, eyeing everyone suspiciously, most from over blue veils.

            The women of the troupe had all pulled up their hoods and put on veils, even some of the men did the same. The Tamerans were some of the most fanatical in upholding the custom of veiling. Men were also expected to cover their mouths and hair from public view, but generally warriors were freed from that obligation. Outsiders, such as Danica and her companions, were barely tolerated by the natives if they ignored local custom and went unveiled.

            "Halt!" a tall man in silver-cased scale mail called, stepping into their path. His helmet sported a tall black horsehair crest and his turban was bright red. The turban's color, the bejeweled hilts of his scimitar and many daggers, and the man's deportment screamed nobleman and officer. His purple cloak proclaimed him a Prince. "Declare yourselves!"

            Lana spurred forward, "Greetings, noble sir! We are but a group of mercenaries recently released from Samullan service and coming to look for work. Several of us wish to join with your great city's renown Silver Dragon Troop."

            "Mercenary scum," he said, gracing them with his most disdainful gaze. "Be warned, we do not tolerate unlawful behavior by your kind."

            "It is not our intention to insult your customs or laws," Lana said. "We have all been to your beautiful city before and are well aware of what is expected of us."

            "Let them pass," he said, still glaring at them.

            Lana led them quickly through the massive gate. The two gate towers guarding the gate helped to block the sun, leaving the cobbled road between them in refreshingly cool shadow. Danica enjoyed the coolness, consciously ignoring the murder holes lining the fifty paces of the entrance's length. She was relieved when they finally exited into the riotous bazaar beyond.

            The bazaar was the local livestock market, with wicker cages of chicken, pigeon, and quail staked alarmingly high amidst jostling cattle, sheep, and horses. Exotic animals were also present, many from lands Danica and the locals had only heard about. The larger and more dangerous would be bought up by the city's beastmasters for the arena. The others would become pets of nobles and rich merchants.